Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when he will decide whether or not a third runway is approved at Heathrow Airport.

The Government has set up the Airports Commission to examine the question of how best to maintain the UK’s international hub connectivity.

As its Interim Report shows, the Airports Commission has shortlisted two options at Heathrow Airport as well as an option at Gatwick for further study.

The Commission’s final report is due to be submitted to Government in summer 2015. The Government’s principle concern is to protect the integrity and independence of the Commission through to the final report and will not be commenting on its ongoing work.